What to do or where to go with children? What kid-friendly activities are available in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series finds activity tips and recommends child-friendly events and things to do in Helsinki and the surrounding area.

The cover image of this article is from Kalasatama's new children's library.

Current highlights

  • Want to ice skate outdoors? Many of Helsinki's, Espoo's, and Vantaa's artificial and natural ice rinks are already open for skating! Skating is free this year at the artificial ice rinks. Current information about rink conditions can be found at Ulkoliikunta.fi service.

MONDAY 22.1.2024

Events and activity tips

  • Family Hustle provides pre-school children and their parents with a space where they can move around together independently and free of charge. Family Hustle sessions on Mondays:

    - Family Hustle at Tapanil Primary School (Veljestenpiha 2) on Mondays 17-18.30 from 8.1.–22.4.2024 (not week 8).

Activities at playgrounds on Monday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9-12, with afternoons reserved for schoolchildren. More detailed information available on each playground's own pages. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
  • Loru Playground on Monday:
    10.30-11.00 Loru's Games - interactive activity for ages 1 and up
    13.00-13.30 Cuckoo Lullaby - baby activity for under 1 year
    15.00-15.30 Cuckoo Lullaby - baby activity for under 1 year
  • Family Centers have activities:
    - Naapuri Family Center (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
    - Sahrami Family Center (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.

    - MLL's Unikko Family Center (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's pages!

Library activities on Monday

TUESDAY 23.1.2024

Events and activity tips

  • Health Center Parking on Tuesdays 9.30–13.00 in the ground floor of Kamppi Family Center. Free admission.
  • Art for Toddlers Workshop (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Tuesdays 13.30-15.30. Workshops are suitable for 1.5–3-year-old children with their own adult. No advance registration needed, free admission. You can join the workshops for the full time or just for a bit.
  • Family Hustle provides pre-school children and their parents with a space where they can move around together independently and free of charge. Family Hustle sessions on Tuesdays:

    - Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro Sports Park (Pikajuoksijankuja 9) on Tuesdays 9.30-11.30 and 16-18 from 9.1.–23.4.2024 (not week 8).

    - Käpylä Primary School (Mäkelänkatu 89) on Tuesdays 17-18.30 from 9.1.–23.4.2024 (not weeks 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14).

    - Sakarinmäki Primary School (Knutersintie 924) on Tuesdays 17-18.30 from 9.1.–23.4.2024 (not week 8).

    - Merilahti Primary School in Vuosaari (Jaluspolku 3) on Tuesdays 17–18.30 from 9.1.–23.4.2024 (not week 8).

Activities at playgrounds on Tuesday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9-12, with afternoons reserved for schoolchildren. More detailed information available on each playground's own pages. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
  • Family Centers have activities
    - Naapuri Family Center (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
    - Sahrami Family Center (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
  • MLL's Unikko Family Center (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's pages!

Library activities on Tuesday

WEDNESDAY 24.1.2024

Events and activity tips

  • Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Wednesdays 12-16. Small entrance fee.
  • Espoo: Large Model Railroad at Ainoa Shopping Center in Espoo is open on Wednesdays and Fridays 15-18 and Saturdays 11-16. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Ainoa, across from the BYD car display, next to Itsudemo restaurant. Free admission.
  • Family Hustle provides pre-school children and their parents with a space where they can move around together independently and free of charge. Family Hustle sessions on Wednesdays:

    - Kurkimäki Block House (Karpalokuja 7) on Wednesdays 9.30-11 from 10.1.–24.4.2024 (not week 8).

    - Kannelmäki Primary School (Runonlaulajantie 40) on Wednesdays 17-18 from 10.1.–24.4.2024 (not week 8).

Activities at playgrounds on Wednesday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9-12, with afternoons reserved for schoolchildren. More detailed information available on each playground's own pages. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
  • Family Centers have activities
    - Naapuri Family Center (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
    - Sahrami Family Center (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
  • MLL's Unikko Family Center (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's pages!

Library activities on Wednesday

Pienten Suomi - over 700 reasons to travel in Finland with children!

THURSDAY 25.1.2024

Events and activity tips

  • Albert's Lounge is open on Thursdays 9.30–15.
  • Art for Toddlers Workshops (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Thursdays 10-12. Workshops are suitable for 1.5–3-year-old children with their own adult. No advance registration needed, free admission. You can join the workshops for the full time or just for a bit.
  • Family Hustle provides pre-school children and their parents with a space where they can move around together independently and free of charge. Family Hustle sessions on Thursdays:

    - Tali Sports Park Football Hall (Purotie 8) on Thursdays 9.30-11 from 11.1.–25.4.2024 (not week 8).

    - Kamppi Sports Center (Malminkatu 3) on Thursdays 17-18.30 from 11.1.–25.4.2024
    (not week 8).

    - Malminkartano Primary School (Puustellintie 6) on Thursdays 17-18.30 from 11.1.–25.4.2024 (not weeks 7 and 8).

    - Porolahti Primary School (Roihuvuorentie 2) on Thursdays 17.30-18.30 from 11.1.–25.4.2024 (not week 8).

    - Pukinmäenkaar Primary School Mirror Hall (Kenttäkuja 12) on Thursdays 17-18.30 from
    11.1.-25.4.2024 (not week 8).

Activities at playgrounds on Thursday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9-12, with afternoons reserved for schoolchildren. More detailed information available on each playground's own pages. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
  • Loru Playground on Thursday:
    11-11.30 Warm at Loru - baby activity for under 1 year
    15-15.30 Loru's Games - interactive activity for ages 1 and up
  • Family Centers have activities
    - Naapuri Family Center (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
    - Sahrami Family Center (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
  • MLL's Unikko Family Center (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's pages!

Library activities on Thursday

FRIDAY 26.1.2024

Events and activity tips

  • Vantaa: Little Art Mornings: Bug Jam at Kestikievari Övre Nybacka on Friday at 9.30-10.15 and 10.30-11.15 (about 40 min). Free admission.
  • Espoo: Large Model Railroad at Ainoa Shopping Center in Espoo is open on Wednesdays and Fridays 15-18 and Saturdays 11-16. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Ainoa, across from the BYD car display, next to Itsudemo restaurant. Free admission.
  • Sibafest on Friday and Saturday at the Concert Hall. Mostly free admission.

Activities at playgrounds on Friday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9-12, with afternoons reserved for schoolchildren. More detailed information available on each playground's own pages. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
  • Loru Playground on Friday:
    10.30-11.30 Loru Finds - search activity for ages 2 and up
    13.00-13.30 Loru's Songs - singing session for all ages
    15.00-15.30 Loru Enchanted - activity session with varying theme including play, movement, and stories for ages 2 and up
  • Family Centers have activities
    - Naapuri Family Center (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
    - Sahrami Family Center (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program available on the center's Facebook page.
  • MLL's Unikko Family Center (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's pages!

Library activities on Friday

SATURDAY 27.1.2024

Events and activity tips

  • Want to go ice skating at an ice hall? You can find ice skating times for Helsinki and the metropolitan area at Pienten Helsinki's themed article.
  • Garden Birdwatching on Saturday and Sunday. BirdLife's Garden Birdwatching is Finland's largest bird watching event. At this event for all nature enthusiasts, birds are observed for an hour at your own backyard or another location.
  • Espoo: Small Size Days: Klankennest: Baby Concert at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Saturday.
    Performance at 10 is for 2–4-year-olds and performances at 11 and 13 are for 4–24 month old children. Tickets from 10 €.
  • Vantaa: Ice Fun at Hiekkaharjun artificial ice rink on Saturday 10.30-15. More detailed schedule on the event's website. Free admission.
  • Espoo: Large Model Railroad at Ainoa Shopping Center in Espoo is open on Wednesdays and Fridays 15-18 and Saturdays 11-16. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Ainoa, across from the BYD car display, next to Itsudemo restaurant. Free admission.
  • Sibafest on Friday and Saturday at the Concert Hall. Mostly free admission.

SUNDAY 28.1.2024

Events and activity tips

  • Garden Birdwatching on Saturday and Sunday. BirdLife's Garden Birdwatching is Finland's largest bird watching event. At this event for all nature enthusiasts, birds are observed for an hour at your own backyard or another location.
  • Family Fun at Tapuli Sports Center's gymnastics room on Sundays 9-11. Tickets 5€/family (payment in cash, card, or MobilePay on site).
  • Sports Hustle at Sports Mill (Jauhokuja 3) in Myllypuro on Sunday 9-10.45.
    Sports Hustle offers children under 9 and their families the opportunity to move around in diverse ways and have fun. You can arrive on your own schedule, and there is space for strollers in the lobby; remember to bring your own lock for the locker room. Admission fee for adults 3.50 €, others 2 €, free for children under 9.
  • Vantaa: Ice Fun at Hiekkaharjun artificial ice rink on Sunday 10-15. More detailed schedule on the event's website. Free admission.
  • Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Sunday 12-16. Small entrance fee.

Remember to also check:

Pienten Suomi - over 700 reasons to travel in Finland with children!

This image's alt attribute is empty; the filename is pienten-helsinki-logo.png
#pienenhelsinki

Follow Pienten Helsinki!

Pienten Helsinki on Facebook
Pienten Helsinki on Instagram